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AAPL vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AAPL vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 17, 2026

AAPL (Apple Inc) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, AAPL returned 30.00%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for QQQ. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

AAPL vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Apple Inc (AAPL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAPL achieves a 10.28% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 18.96% return. Over the past 10 years, AAPL has outperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 30.00%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively lower 22.07% annualized return.

AAPL

1D
0.95%
1M
-0.33%
YTD
10.28%
6M
9.17%
1Y
51.41%
3Y*
17.95%
5Y*
18.43%
10Y*
30.00%

QQQ

1D
-1.90%
1M
2.95%
YTD
18.96%
6M
19.61%
1Y
37.26%
3Y*
26.39%
5Y*
16.84%
10Y*
22.07%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAPL vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
AAPL
Apple Inc		10.28%9.05%30.71%49.01%-26.40%34.65%82.31%88.96%-5.39%48.46%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		18.96%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between AAPL and QQQ is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.45

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.55

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.70

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.74

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999

0.67

Over the past year, the correlation between AAPL and QQQ has dropped to 0.45 - well below their long-term average of 0.67, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

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Apple Inc

Invesco QQQ ETF

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Return for Risk

AAPL vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
AAPL
AAPL Risk / Return Rank: 8989
Overall Rank
AAPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9191
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AAPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
AAPL Omega Ratio Rank: 9090
Omega Ratio Rank
AAPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 8888
Calmar Ratio Rank
AAPL Martin Ratio Rank: 8787
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 6363
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAPL vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Apple Inc (AAPL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

AAPLQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.28
2.14

+0.14

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.17
2.80

+0.37

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.41

1.38

+0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.74

3.13

+0.61

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.29

11.67

-2.39

AAPL vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAPL Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAPL and QQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

AAPL vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAPL drawdown since its inception was -81.80%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAPL and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

AAPLQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-81.80%

-82.97%

+1.17%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.80%

-11.96%

-1.84%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-33.36%

-22.77%

-10.59%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-33.36%

-35.12%

+1.76%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.52%

-35.12%

-3.40%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.06%

-2.18%

-2.88%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-29.59%

-32.74%

+3.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.55%

3.20%

+2.35%

Volatility

AAPL vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Apple Inc (AAPL) is 7.03%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 8.23%. This indicates that AAPL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

AAPLQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.03%

8.23%

-1.20%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.64%

14.12%

+2.52%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.66%

17.52%

+5.14%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

27.52%

22.61%

+4.91%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

28.93%

22.41%

+6.52%

Dividends

AAPL vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

AAPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, less than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AAPL
Apple Inc		0.35%0.38%0.40%0.49%0.70%0.49%0.61%1.04%1.79%1.45%1.93%1.93%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.39%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

AAPL and QQQ have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (8.23%) compared to AAPL (7.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAPL dropped -81.80% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

AAPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.14), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

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